Taxing Executive Bonuses Paid By Companies Receiving TARP Assistance

Floor Speech

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Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Chairman, thank you so very much for bringing this bill to the floor.

The bottom line is, at the top of this week, when we all learned what happened with the bonuses and all, the American people wanted to know what the Congress was going to do as it relates to these taxpayer dollars that are being used for the bonuses.

Are you going to get our money back, are you going to file an inquiry? No one called me, no one called my district office and said, ``Congressman, please go to Congress and file an inquiry about what happened with my taxpayer dollars.'' They are saying, ``Get it back, get it back now.''

Now the other side is talking about the Constitution and wrapping themselves in the flag right now saying that, ``oh, my goodness, we are shredding the Constitution.'' Well, that's the pot calling the kettle black, as far as I am concerned. Because the Supreme Court, and courts throughout the land, there are unconstitutional measures that have been brought to this floor, and that's up for the courts.

But as far as I am concerned, what we are being told, that this is fine. This language is well in order, and we are going to pass this legislation. So you have to vote up or down.

You can't come with excuses. The bottom line is we are getting the taxpayer dollars back.

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